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Student Achievement At The Middle Level: Is Block Scheduling A Viable Option In Science Education?, Julie A. Holub

Graduate Research Papers

Currently, there are many school districts that are wrestling with the issue of how to best package the school day to increase student achievement scores. The topic of scheduling has been an issue for the school district mentioned in this paper for many years. This school district is ready to s make a move to block scheduling. The purpose of this paper is to examine patterns of student achievement while in blocked versus traditional, single period science classes. This paper will shed some light on whether block scheduling is related to student achievement, as evidenced by grade point average (GP …

Sandplay With Children In The School Setting, Sophie I. Banwarth

Graduate Research Papers

Sandplay therapy, developed by Margaret Lowenfeld, is a technique where children choose miniature objects to place in a sand tray to create a concrete representation of their internal struggles. The counselor's role is to create a safe and protected environment and does not impose personal suggestions or ideas. The counselor can choose to facilitate different types of sandplay with a child: directed, nondirected, static, moving, or interactive. Sandplay therapy offers techniques such as hide and seek, family sand trays, mazes, and self-figures. Sandplay therapy is effective with children in the school setting. Teachers report that students return to class more …

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Free Clinics Of Iowa: An Inside Look At An Alternate Route To Healthcare, Laura Deboer

Honors Program Theses

Forty-seven million uninsured Americans: an all too familiar statistic, peppering television advertisements, newspaper headlines, and most recently - a hot agenda item of political candidates is a sad truth of American health care. Unfortunately, for sixteen percent of Americans and approximately thirteen percent of adult Iowans, this is not just a passing television ad - but the facts of life that are faced every day. These individuals make up families who evaluate that, although it is taking a risk to be without health insurance, the security of insurance is not as important as providing meals on the dinner table. The …

Iowa Journal Of Communication, Volume 39, Number 1, Fall 2007 [Download Entire Issue]

Iowa Journal of Communication

No abstract provided.

Panther Baseball 2007 Media Guide, University Of Northern Iowa

Athletics Media Guides

Contents:

--Media Information
--Alphabetical Roster
--Numerical Roster
--Covering the Panthers
--The University
--UNI Coaching Staff
--2007 UNI Panthers
--2006 in Review
--Records
--Opponents
--UNI Baseball

Women's Soccer 2007, University Of Northern Iowa

Athletics Media Guides

Contents:

--The University of Northern Iowa
--Soccer Staff
--The Soccer Program
--Media Relations Staff
--General Information

Interview With Monifa Love Asante, Sharynn Owens Etheridge

Short Story

No abstract provided.

Mabel's Blues: The Blues Aesthetic In Randall Kenan's "The Strange And Tragic Ballad Of Mabel Pearsall", Éva Tettenborn

Short Story

No abstract provided.

Excellence In Education, Winter 2007-08, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Education

Excellence in Education

Inside this issue:

-- Message from the Dean

-- UNI Services as Catalyst for Elite Training Center

-- Desire to Teach Motivates 2+2 Graduates

--$5.5 million request for Mathematics/Science Education initiative receives Regents' support

-- High School Student Math/Science Summit launched at UNI

-- Science/Math Summer Enrichment for K-5 students

-- NPPS marks 13 years of: Keeping Children Safe

-- CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System)

-- Faculty, students offer hands-on community engagement

-- UNI professor help write College Board Standards

-- Using non-fiction to develop elementary students' measurement sense

-- Stories to help citizen understanding

-- Iowa Writing Project format …

“Out From Gens Romulum Into The Weal-Kin”: Re-Locating Modernist Poetics In David Jones’ AnathéMata And Basil Bunting’S Briggflatts, Lucie Boukalova

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In the decades following its publication in 1922, T.S. Eliot's Waste Land has become an epitome of the modernist sensibility and situation. This thesis challenges the poem's dominance and dictate over the canon of modernist poetry persisting in the academic discourse and general cultural awareness. Focusing on two post-WWII sequences by Eliot's younger contemporaries, David Jones' s Anathemata (1952) and Basil Bunting's Briggflatts (1966), this study explores alternative models and inspirative sources of the modernist poetic sequence. Through the constant comparison and contrast with Eliot's earlier articulation of the modern historico-cultural circumstance, Jones' and Bunting's specific foci and methods emerge …

2007 Panther Football Media Guide, University Of Northern Iowa

Athletics Media Guides

Contents:

--One of FCS's Best --1
--Quick Facts --2
--UNI Administrations --4
--Director of Athletics --5
--Athletic Department Staff --6
--Panther Head Coaches --7
--Traditions --8
--Academics --9
--Strength & Conditioning --10
--Sports Medicine --11
--Facilities --12-13
--UNI-Dome Quick Facts --14
--UNI-Dome Records --14
--Quick Look --16
--A Closer Look --16
--Preseason Depth Chart --17
--Alphabetical Roster --18
--Numerical Roster --19
--2007 Preview --20-22
--Head Coach Mark Farley --24-27
--The Farley File --25
--Farley vs. All Opponents --26
--What Others are Saying About Coach Farley --27
--Associate Head Coach Bill Salmon --28
--Assistant Coach Mario Verduzco --29
--Assistant Coach Rick …

Preservice Elementary Teachers Increase Descriptive Science Vocabulary By Making Descriptive Adjective Object Boxes, Audrey C. Rule, S. Crisafulli, H. Decare, T. Deleo, K. Eastman, E. Farrell, J. Geblein, C. Gioia, A. Joyce, Kaylea M. Killian, K. Knoop, A. Larocca, K. Meyer, J. Miller, V. Roth, J. Throo, J. Van Arsdale, M. Walker

Open Educational Resources

Descriptive vocabulary is needed for communication and mental processing of science observations. Elementary preservice teachers in a science methods class at a mid-sized public college in central New York State increased their descriptive vocabularies through a course assignment of making a descriptive adjective object box. This teaching material consists of a set of theme-related objects with corresponding cards housed in a box. The front of each card lists four descriptive adjectives that describe physical observations of one of the objects, with an image of the object on the reverse for self-checking. The student reads these descriptive words and attempts to …

The Effects Of Service Learning On Children, Cedilia R. Corken

Graduate Research Papers

Service learning is a teaching strategy used to connect classroom curriculum with service projects in the community (Skinner & Chapman, 1999). These opportunities enrich educational goals and enable students to apply what is learned in the classroom to meaningful service opportunities in their communities (National Commission on Service Learning, 2007). Service learning opportunities require a specific process in which students prepare and participate in the service opportunity as well as reflect and connect what was learned to classroom content (Eyler & Giles, 1999).

Education is changing and evolving. Educators are responsible for meeting the needs of all students, with various …

School Psychology Shortage And Urban/Rural Differences, Melissa Marie Hickman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

There is a documented shortage of school psychologists. Various factors contribute to this shortage including: (a) attrition, (b) the public's lack of knowledge about the profession, and ( c) stressors on the job. A continued shortage could have negative implications for the profession as well as students and schools by lowering standards for credentialing school psychologists. This paper will review literature on several factors that may influence the shortage. Historical trends and demographics of school psychologists will also be addressed. In particular, research and speculations concerning differences between the practice of rural and urban school psychologists will be discussed.

Mental Health Services In Schools: School Psychologists' Current Practices And Perspectives, Nicole Carlson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It is estimated that approximately 7 .5 to 9 million children and adolescents are in need of mental health services, but that only 20% of these youths actually receive the services they need (National Association of School Psychologists [NASP], 2002). Because of this, schools across the nation have begun to take preventative measures, specifically school-based mental health services. School psychologists are uniquely prepared to provide these services, but little attention has been paid to their needs and concerns regarding such services. Therefore, members of NASP were given a survey to assess current practices and perspectives regarding mental health services in …

Sexual Minority Youth In The Research Literature: The Invisible Students, Kelly J. Beck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research examines the topics addressed in the School Psychology literature and specifically looks at the amount of coverage the topic of sexual minority youth has received in the research literature in the last 15 years. A content analysis of research articles published in two prominent school psychology journals, School Psychology Review and School Psychology Quarterly, from 1990 to 2005 was conducted. The topics that received the most coverage included: (1) intervention, (2) assessment, and (3) ethical, legal and professional issues. Nine articles out of 901, less than 1 %, included the topic of sexual minority youth. The sub-groups, such …

A Case Study Using Guided Reading And Teacher Read-Alouds While Monitoring English Language Learners' And Native English Speakers' Reading Achievement, Kelsey M. Baker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in the United States continues to increase (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002); therefore, schools and educators are affected by the growing differences in students' language skills, prior experiences, and progress. This research addresses the need for understanding ELLs and how ELLs benefit from adults effectively reading aloud to them. Further research is needed on effective reading instruction for ELLs for several reasons. First, teachers are becoming ELL teachers by default and feel overwhelmed because of the responsibility to teach both language and content (Gersten, 2002). Second, an achievement gap exists between ELLs and native …

Addressing The School Psychologist Shortage : Past Trends And Implications For The Future, Erin Delaine Mccoy

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis begins with a brief history of the field of school psychology, starting with the Hybrid years and continuing through to the present day. Research on the trends that have occurred in the field of school psychology are reviewed. Past trends discussed include: demographics, personnel needs, function and roles, employment conditions, and job satisfaction. This study examined reasons why school psychologists in Iowa left their positions and, specifically, what effect job satisfaction played in their decision to leave. Results indicated two reasons Iowa school psychologists left their positions: role restrictiveness and lack of building support. School psychologists in Iowa …

High School Dropout : Educators' Knowledge Of And Perceived Role In Dropout Prevention, Dustin Reese

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The reasons behind high school dropout have been examined for years. Previous research has focused primarily on understanding student characteristics in relation to high school dropout. However, teachers play an important role in preventing school dropout. Their beliefs about dropout may influence the way in which they interact with students, especially those they believe are at risk for dropout. Because of the critical influence teachers can have on students' educational decisions, this research sought to answer the following questions: (1) What factors do educators believe contribute to students' decision to drop out of school? and (2) What type of influence …

Examination Of The Major Factors Contributing To The School Psychology Shortage, Sara Ann Recker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The shortage of school psychologists in the United States has been an issue for many years. Though research has been done to address regional shortages, no research has addressed the shortages in each state. Furthermore, little research exists that examines the settings in which the practitioner shortage is most critical. This study utilizes survey research to examine the current shortage in each of the 50 states (and the District of Columbia) and also to determine whether the shortages exist in urban, suburban, or rural areas. Additionally, this study begins to examine possible reasons the shortage exists in the different states. …

Differences In Junior High, High School, And College Coaches’ Self-Perceptions Of Behavior, Scott D. Salthun

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine coaches' self-perceptions of their competence in (a) training and instruction, (b) positive feedback, and (c) social support. Also, differences in coaches' gender, competitive level, leadership style, gender of athletes, age, and number of years coaching were investigated in relation to their self-perceptions. A modified questionnaire from Ipinmoroti (2002) was used as the instrument in this study. The questionnaire included three of the five subscales of the leadership scale for sport: (a) training and instruction, (b) positive feedback, and (c) social support. A total of 85 coaches participated in this study. A series …

The Effect Of Three Rest Intervals After A High Intensity Training Protocol On Speed And Strength Variables In Division I Track And Field Sprinters And Jumpers, Eric Lee Hanenberger

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of three different recovery periods (2, 4 or 6 days) after a high intensity strength training protocol on speed and strength variables in Division I track and field sprinters and jumpers. Methods: Research participants (RP) were assessed in a lower body strength test using a back squat one repetition maximum (lRM). A week of recovery was administered following the lower body strength test. A pre-test was administered to establish baseline values on speed and strength variables. Speed variables included 18.3, 36.6 and 54.9 m sprint times and SPLIT 1 (18.3 …

The Role Of Interpersonal Communication As A Branch Of Relationship Management In Law Enforcement, Nermin Ferkic

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Police officers are often recognized as tough action figures whose only job is to fight ruthless criminals. A highly rated TV show called "Cops" presents police officers as such figures. Police officers drive noticeable squad cars with top lights and a printed motto reading "to protect and serve." They are well known for their work equipment, such as: night sticks, pepper sprays, armor, handcuffs, and most noticeably, guns. This, of course, easily confirms people's idea that police officers' jobs are all about using their physical abilities. However, while working as a police officer and with police officers I realized that …

Validation Of The Suicide Resilience Inventory-25 (Sri-25) With African American High School Students, Stephanie Elizabeth Gantt

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Suicide is the cause of death for nearly 30,000 deaths per year in the United States (Henkel, 2005). Studies show that rates of suicide have increased dramatically among African Americans ages 10-19 years, yet the overall suicide rate of African American adolescents is still lower than that of their Caucasian counterparts (Gould & Kramer, 2001 ; Greening & Stoppelbein, 2002). Some researchers have begun to study protective factors, particularly resilience, as one of the factors that should be maximized to reduce the rate of adolescent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. In particular, resiliency is an adaptive, stress-resistant personal quality that allows …

A Cross-Cultural Community: An Evaluative Study Of The Global Health Corps Training Program At The University Of Northern Iowa, Kalani Kee Brown

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Despite the current increase in the globalization of companies and the increase in the number of international assignees there has been very little research showing the significance of cross-cultural training in reducing international assignee failure rates. The current study was completed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Global Health Corps (GHC) organization as a training program for improving cross-cultural adjustment. An analysis was conducted on data obtained from 108 GHC students for the purpose of understanding the influence of cross-cultural experience and its effect on the cross-cultural adjustment of a successful person in this environment. Results indicated that students immersed …

Motor Learning And Its Application To Accent Modification, Lindsey Nicole Clark

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As the numbers of immigrants and non-native speakers of English continue to be high in the United States, there will also continue to be those who wish to alter their manner of speaking. Currently, there is little research discussing the effectiveness of traditional therapy techniques (i.e. auditory training, drill, and phonetic placement; Schmidt and Meyers, 1995). However, in recent years, research has shown high success rates in therapies based on motor learning principles ( e.g. Backer, 2003; Mueller, 2004; Nelson, 2004). By definition, motor learning is "a set of processes associated with practice or experience leading to relatively permanent changes …

Surviving Katrina: A Qualitative Narrative Inquiry, Farren Keith Clark

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Using ethnographic methodology, the experiences, opinions, emotions and interaction of 12 participants of different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds who survived Hurricane Katrina were explored through the analysis of their narratives. Narratives were analyzed through interactive interviews that were transcribed and organized by themes. Both family group and individual interviews were conducted and supported by field notes. Inquiry was focused upon the experiences of Katrina survivors before, during and after the storm made landfall in order to explore how survivors characterized their lives in the face of disaster. Participants described the powerful impact Katrina made upon their family's lives following an …

Parental Divorce, Family Conflict, And The Well-Being Of College Students: Forgiveness As A Protective Factor, Kimberly Jorgensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Current literature cites that children with divorced parents are susceptible to maladjustment. This outcome is especially likely when family conflict exists. One purpose of the current study was to examine and clarify the relationships between parental divorce, interparental and parent-child conflict, and the health and well-being of children as they reach college age. Extant literature also supports the notion that interpersonal forgiveness has a special association with divorce, parent-child relationships, conflict, and mental health. This study therefore purported to examine the role of state and trait forgiveness with respect to the associations between parental divorce status, family conflict and college …

"Feelin' Blue, Oh What To Do?": Coping With Negative Emotions, Jana L. Brinkman

Graduate Research Papers

Over the past five years I have had the opportunity to work with children and youth, ages birth to eighteen, in a variety of environments. The settings in which I have interacted with children include nonprofit agency environments, after school programs, church environments, parks and recreation programs, individual and small group counseling sessions, classroom guidance settings, and home environments. My own observations and experiences along with those of parents, school staff, university faculty, fellow undergraduate and graduate students, and co-workers have supported my conclusion that children from early childhood to high school youth struggle with knowing how to appropriately respond …